General elections were held in

Western Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa; sm, Sāmoa, and until 1997 known as Western Samoa, is a Polynesian island country consisting of two main islands ( Savai'i and Upolu); two smaller, inhabited islands ( Manono and Apolima); a ...

on 28 April 1948,Samoan Election: Vigorous New Party In The Field
'' Pacific Islands Monthly'', April 1948, p27 the first to the new Legislative Assembly. The

United Citizens Party The United Citizens Party (UCP) was first organized in 1969 in the U.S. state of South Carolina in response to the state Democratic Party's opposition to nominating black candidates. The party's objective was to elect blacks to the legislature a ...

won four of the five directly-elected seats.

Electoral system

The new 26-member Legislative Assembly consisted of the

Administrator Administrator or admin may refer to: Job roles Computing and internet * Database administrator, a person who is responsible for the environmental aspects of a database * Forum administrator, one who oversees discussions on an Internet forum * N ...

, six civil servants, eleven Samoans appointed by the

Fono of Faipule The Fono of Faipule was a legislature in Western Samoa during the colonial era. It consisted of representatives (''faipule'') from each district.United Citizens Party The United Citizens Party (UCP) was first organized in 1969 in the U.S. state of South Carolina in response to the state Democratic Party's opposition to nominating black candidates. The party's objective was to elect blacks to the legislature a ...

, which was formed at a meeting on 16 March and supported by prominent businessmen in

Apia Apia () is the Capital (political), capital and largest city of Samoa, as well as the nation's only city. It is located on the central north coast of Upolu, Samoa's second-largest island. Apia falls within the political district (''itūmālō ...

, and the Labour Party led by Amando Stowers. Both parties nominated a full slate of five candidates, with the United Citizens Party holding a primary election to select its candidates after nine members put themselves forwards. The campaign included radio broadcasts, public meetings and leafleting.

Results

European members

By candidate

Samoan members

A series of meetings was held in January 1948 to select the 11 Samoan representatives. However, the meetings were inconclusive, and instead a list of 31 names was given to the three , Mata'afa, Malietoa and Tamasese to choose from. The choices were announced in mid-April.W. Samoa's New Assembly Now Taking Shape: Samoan Members Chosen
''Pacific Islands Monthly'', May 1948, p49

Aftermath

The new Legislative Assembly was opened on 2 June 1948 with a ceremony at Mulinu'u involving the new

national flag A national flag is a flag that represents and symbolizes a given nation. It is flown by the government of that nation, but usually can also be flown by its citizens. A national flag is typically designed with specific meanings for its colours ...

being formally raised for the first time.New Assembly In Samoa: Quarantine Imposes Last-Minute Absence of the NZ Prime Minister
''Pacific Islands Monthly'', June 1948, p7 After the death of Fautua

Mata'afa Faumuina Fiame Mulinu'u I Mata'afa Faumuina Fiame Mulinu'u I (1889 — 27 March 1948)Gatoloai Peseta Sio Gatoloaifaana Peseta Siaosi Sio (15 July 1910 – 2 July 1990) was a Western Samoan chief, musician, writer and politician. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1950 to 1951, and again from 1954 to 1957. Biography The son of ...

was elected by the Fono to be the twelfth member on 1 April 1950.Lauofo Meti (2002) ''Samoa: The Making of the Constitution'', National University of Samoa, p28

References

{{Samoan elections Elections in Samoa

General A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of highest military ranks, high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry. In some usages the term "general officer" refers t ...